GMAT Study Plan - How to Start your GMAT Prep

Hi all,

Thank bb for this useful topic for newbie. Thank all of you for your guides and comments.

This is the first time I've heard about GMAT. I must have GMAT score if I want to study in US for fall2010. What a pity because I read your topic after 2 weeks of learning GMAT (OG) without any strategy. I am now re-scheduling learning strategy and I do indeed need your help.

I already completed my studying schedule. I gonna attach it with this reply and could you please take a look at it and give me comment?

Although my score was 460 when I first try GMATprep test 1, I still hope I would get 630 after about 2 months (test date 6/12/2010). In your opnion, with this schedule, is there any hope for me to achieve 630?

Books I intend to study are:
- OG12
- MGMAT SC
- The PowerScore CR
- Kaplan premier 2010
- Princeton: Cracking the GMAT 2009 Edition

Many thanks for your help, please give me a hand!

Hi All,

Thanks for sharing your ideas and schedules.

Tuntunmeo, your schedule is pretty full

I have 85 days before my test. I'll think of it as ~10 weeks and will keep last 2 weeks for unexpected stuff.

BB, if starting with OG12 is not a good idea, what should I use instead ?

Hi Lordspace,

It's really not a good idea to start with OG12. Because it does waste questions when you don't know about gmat. OG12 is useful to review the math concept first (if you need). Then you could continue with cracking the Gmat. Exercies in that book are at easy/medium level. After that you should work on kaplan. Kaplan Math is quite good. I'm working on kaplan now,

Hi Tuntunmeo,

Thanks for the reply.
A friend of mine recommended me Kaplan's materials.
Are they not good ?
Is there a single book that I can follow ?
There's too many choices ...

Maybe I should go for Cracking the GMAT with DVD, 2010 Edition ?

You can buy Kaplan Premier Live online 2010, which includes 1 paper test in the book, 4 CATs on CD and 1 CAT on kaplan site. This book is nice and also covers all of the topics except Probability and Permutation & Combination, which don't often appear on GMAT as many test-takers say but you can get hold of these topics by searching on internet. I am sure you'll find plenty of documents with these topics clearly explained.

Hi AtifS,

I checked the reviews and the first one is from BB.
He mentioned that it's the same as Kaplan 2009 premier.
Actually I do have Kaplan 2009 premier.
On the other hand I saw in this forum people mentioning that Kaplan 2009 has a lot of errors.
I have to either continue reading or close my eyes and pick one book

Any ideas ?

Ignore the complainers about the errors. Unless you are a stickler for things like this and perfectionist, this book will help you to get started.

Thanks bb for the quick answer.
Ok. so I'll start with Kaplan 2009.
I am also thinking of enrolling in a GMAT class for 5 Sundays where OG 12 will be used.

bb and others, do you think that Kaplan 2009 + OG 12 is enough for scoring 600+ on GMAT ?

Probably...
Though you may need to add Kaplan Math Workbook and Kaplan Verbal workbook to get a boost (these are a quicker alternative to MGMAT guides, though weaker)

Thanks bb.
I will start with Kaplan and go from there.

Sure. Give it a shot. If you hate it, you can always switch to the MGMAT Guides but usually a good starting point to get your feet wet and get over the 600 barrier.

bb...

Thanks for the posts. I began my studying with the OG 11. As I completed the first 120 question with an 84%, I reviewed this forum and am now transferring to other materials per the recommendation from test takers.

I have the following guides what order to you recommend starting from:

1. Cracking the GMAT
2. Kaplan GMAT Premier Program 2009 Ed
3. MGMAT Guides
4. OG 11

Please provide your thoughts.

You can just go through the MGMAT Guides along with the OG and that should be plenty. If you want, you can cover the Kaplan book first but throw away the Cracking thing.

let me tell you this - Of all the GMAT forums out there, there is not even one which can remotely match the gmatclub!
KUDOS to all of you +1

Is there a study plan exclusively for working individuals out there?
I understand that there's no "master plan" that suits all. But still, we could leverage upon the experiences of those who already walked the path.

This could be really helpful. (at least to me )

Hi Everyone! I'm new here :

I had a question that wasn't answered in this thread but if it has, I apologize. I (kind of) took a diagnostic (Princeton Review) and got a 410 Q27 V20. I have about two solid months to study for this exam (maybe less bc of work) and need a score of 700 (I know, I know.. but, shoot for the stars, you know?).

The quant score is a fudge. While I was taking the practice my 11th grade brother was in the room and I asked him for help on some things. I realize I'm very weak at math. My question is, which is the better book for foundations review: Kaplan GMAT Math Workbook or Kaplan GMAT Math Foundations?

I've decided to self-study using the MGMAT books. If anyone has any insight, please let me know!

Thanks bb. This is one of the best forums for GMAT realted stuff. I wish I had seen the forum earlier before giving my first attempt.